Written Answers. - Parliamentary Debates - Houses of the Oireachtas

Questions— 14 February 2012. Written Answers
The Social Welfare Appeals Office functions independently of the Minister for Social Protection
and of the Department and is responsible for determining appeals against decisions on
social welfare entitlements.
Social Welfare Appeals
355. Deputy John McGuinness asked the Minister for Social Protection if an appeal for
disability allowance will be expedited in respect of a person (details supplied) in County Carlow
based on the general practitioners letter provided. [8304/12]
Minister for Social Protection (Deputy Joan Burton): The Social Welfare Appeals Office has
advised me that an appeal by the person concerned was registered in that office on 8 August
2011. It is a statutory requirement of the appeals process that the relevant Departmental papers
and comments by or on behalf of the Deciding Officer on the grounds of appeal be sought.
These papers were received in the Social Welfare Appeals Office on 11 January 2012 and the
appeal will, in due course, be assigned to an Appeals Officer for consideration. The Social
Welfare Appeals Office functions independently of the Minister for Social Protection and of
the Department and is responsible for determining appeals against decisions on social welfare
entitlements.
356. Deputy Pat Breen asked the Minister for Social Protection the position regarding an
application in respect of a person (details supplied) in County Clare; and if she will make a
statement on the matter. [8404/12]
Minister for Social Protection (Deputy Joan Burton): The Social Welfare Appeals Office has
advised me that an appeal by the person concerned was registered in that office on 13
December 2011. It is a statutory requirement of the appeals process that the relevant Departmental
papers and comments by the Deciding Officer on the grounds of appeal be sought.
When received, the appeal in question will be referred in due course to an Appeals Officer for
consideration. The Social Welfare Appeals Office functions independently of the Minister for
Social Protection and of the Department and is responsible for determining appeals against
decisions on social welfare entitlements.
357. Deputy Pat Breen asked the Minister for Social Protection the position regarding an
application in respect of a person (details supplied) in County Clare; and if she will make a
statement on the matter. [8408/12]
Minister for Social Protection (Deputy Joan Burton): The Social Welfare Appeals Office has
advised me that the appeal from the person concerned was referred to an Appeals Officer who
proposes to hold an oral hearing in this case. There has been a very significant increase in the
number of appeals received by the Social Welfare Appeals Office since 2007 when the intake
was 14,070 to 2010 and 2011 when the intake rose to 32,432 and 31,241 respectively. This has
significantly impacted on the processing time for appeals which require oral hearings and, in
order to be fair to all appellants, they are dealt with in strict chronological order.
While every effort is being made to deal with the large numbers awaiting oral hearing as
quickly as possible, it is not possible to give a date when the person’s oral hearing will be
heard, but s/he will be informed when arrangements have been made. The Social Welfare
Appeals Office functions independently of the Minister for Social Protection and of the Department
and is responsible for determining appeals against decisions on social welfare
entitlements.
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